The holiday cheer at your nearest government office this year may turn into a holiday spoiler for you. The 2012 calendar has brought cheer among office goers as most of gazetted holidays fall on weekdays. Among 34 gazetted holidays, 27 are weekdays which would generally be working days. Add to the number 53 Saturdays and 53 Sundays.
Moreover, 13 out of the 27 holidays are a Friday, Monday or Tuesday. Also, a government official can avail 22 casual leaves.
This means, extended vacations for the babu at the nearest government office is very likely. Amid fears of limited staff at various state facilities in the city, the holiday season may result in mixed emotions for residents.
They feel that some policy should be formulated so that residents do not suffer owing to these holidays. This year Maha Shivratri is falling on a Monday (February 20), Shahidi Diwas of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev is on a Friday (March 23), Baisakhi on a Friday (April 13), Lord Parshuram Jayanti on a Monday (April 23), Sant Kabir Jayanti on a Monday (June 4), Janmashtami on a Friday (August 10), Id-ul-fitr on a Monday (August 20), Gandhi Jayanti on a Tuesday (October 2) and Maharshi Valmiki's Birthday on a Monday (October 29).
On the condition of anonymity, a government official admitted that if any gazetted holiday falls on a Friday or Monday, people start planning vacations keeping the extended weekend in mind. Staff seek additional leaves and then, work suffers.
Vishal Sharma, resident of Sushant Lok II, said, "I really wish that if we could have less number of holidays and offices are not closed for so many days. Most of the time residents are not even aware that it is a holiday and they are compelled to make rounds of government offices just to get a simple work done."
{{/usCountry}}Vishal Sharma, resident of Sushant Lok II, said, "I really wish that if we could have less number of holidays and offices are not closed for so many days. Most of the time residents are not even aware that it is a holiday and they are compelled to make rounds of government offices just to get a simple work done."
{{/usCountry}}Another resident of DLF Phase II added, "At least departments of public dealing should not be fully shut so that residents do not suffer."